Community Conferencing
Community Conferencing, a model of restorative justice, is used to divert cases from court involvement. Community Conferencing is a facilitated dialogue that allows schools, government agencies, faith communities, organizations, neighborhoods, and families to respond to conflict in constructive ways. Community Conferencing provides all people who are involved in and affected by a conflict or incident of harm to work together towards healing in a brave and structured space to resolve the matter safely and effectively. Schools are encouraged to refer students to Community Conferencing for conflicts and incidents that could result in offense charges being filed against youth. Community Conferencing is listed as a level 2 and level 4 intervention on the PGCPS Code of Student Conduct Level of Responses and Interventions chart. Participation is voluntary, confidential, and can be terminated at any time.
Restorative circle processes
PGCCCP provides restorative circles to support organizations, workplaces, and schools where circles are used or requested. Restorative Circles are used to create more connection between people sharing an environment and include regularly scheduled meetings that take place in a circle on a consistent basis. Circles use a talking piece to designate whose turn it is to speak. A talking piece can also be used to cultivate an atmosphere of respect. When first initiated, time is devoted to developing a set of guidelines for how people will conduct themselves during the circle. The circle keeper asks questions and prompts called rounds aimed at helping those in the circle find common interests, ideas, and experiences that will build connections between them. It is out of these community-building circles that participants can support each other within the community who are in conflict. Restorative Circle Processes are tailored to the group who requests the services.
Youth diversion circles
PGCCCP provides circles for youth groups as a diversion alternative used by the juvenile legal system, or by school officials seeking to use a preemptive alternative for students with attendance and behavioral issues that may negatively impact their education. A youth group would be between a minimum three and maximum twelve youths. We do approximately 6-8 circle sessions with the group, more if necessary or if the youth would like to continue. The parents and youth will go through an intake call process with the circle keeper, although only the youths will be attending the circles. Lesson plans for the circle will correspond with the information received in the intake call. The nature of the circles can be anything such as art, poetry and writing, sports, music, college prep, resume writing, anger management, etc. The intake calls will let us know if a resource person (counselors, artists, educators, etc.) should be invited to the circle to assist with the lessons. The lesson plans will culminate in an assignment each youth will need to complete by the final circle. This assignment will be something tangible the youth can use moving forward, such as but not limited to a resume or an admissions essay. As with all of PGCCCP's services, participation is voluntary, confidential, and can be terminated at any time. If a youth chooses to end participation before completing the cohort, his or her case will be returned to the referral source.
facilitator training
Facilitator Skill-Building and Practice Enhancement* - All facilitators, both experienced and new, benefit from working with other facilitators to sharpen their community conferencing facilitation skills. PGCCCP can design and host facilitator skill-building and practice enhancement trainings to assist facilitators with honing their skills and feeling more comfortable with the various moving parts of conducting a community conference such as more effective prep calls, getting more of the story out, agreement writing, and organizing a large group (18+ people) in a community conference.
Circle Trainings* - PGCCCP will coordinate large group, multi-day circle trainings or host truncated circle training events for those seeking circle-keeping skills.
Workplace Team Building* - Contact staff for more information
*Fee for this service may apply.
Circle Trainings* - PGCCCP will coordinate large group, multi-day circle trainings or host truncated circle training events for those seeking circle-keeping skills.
Workplace Team Building* - Contact staff for more information
*Fee for this service may apply.